Collapsible table.



2 SHEETS-$HEET 1.

PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

G. E. WEHN.

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COLLAPSIBLE TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

C. E. WEHN.

GOLLAPSIBLE TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1962.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES iatented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 737,805, dated September 1, 1903.

Application filed May 22, 1902. Serial No. 108,592. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beitknown thatl, CHARLES E. VVEHN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Collapsible Table, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tables, and particularly to those constructed to be collapsed; and some of the objects of the invention are to provide an article of this character which is simple and cheap in construction and at the same time suitable for the purpose intended.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a table capable of general use when extended and adapted to be reduced in size and serve the purpose of a small table or stand, thereby occupying less space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table capable when collapsed of retaining articles or vessels which are used when the table is in the extended or expanded position.

Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide mechanism for operating the parts and for retaining the parts in operative position.

WVith these and other objects in view the invention consists, essentially, in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts substantially as more fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the table in a collapsed position. Fig. 2 isasimilarview of the same, showing the slidingleaves extended. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the table, illustrating the sliding leaves extended and the folding leaves opened outwardly. Fig. 4 illustrates details of construction. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken 011 line 5 5 of Fig. 2, illustrating the invention on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 6 is a detail view of the mechanism for locking the depressible center.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 1 designates legs or supports, which may be of any preferred form and the upper part whereof is preferably inclosed, as at 2, and cross-pieces 3 may be secured between the legs, while upon the outside of the inclosing material 2, upon two sides of the legs, are preferably secured guide-pieces 4, having internal longitudinal recesses or grooves 5 to receive the arms or extensions 6 and '7, formed on or connected with the sliding leaves or sections 9, substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawings. By means of this 0011- struction the sliding leaves 9 may be forced together into the position shown in Fig. 1 or may be drawn apart, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 thereof.

Hinged upon the inside of the cross-pieces 3 are folding leaves or sections 10, constructed to fold outwardly over and rest upon the pieces 3, Fig. 3, and the folding leaves 10 are preferably provided with engagingdevices 11, Fig.

2, to engage eyes or other devices 12 upon the sliding leaves 9 to retain the sliding and folding leaves against each other and in the same plane to prevent unevenness in the several parts of the table-surface, and guiding-tubes 13 are secured upon the respective legs 1 by means of clamps 14 or in any other manner, and within said tubes are mounted plungers 15, preferably having screw-threaded extremities to reinovably engage attaching-plates 16 upon the cleats 17, attached to the under side of the center piece 18 of the table, said cleats being constructed to bear against the inner face of the opposite legs of the table to afford additional means for guiding the depressible center piece of the table. Y

The legs 1 are preferably provided with a longitudinal recess 19 to receive weights 20, attached to cords or chains 21, passing over antifriction devices 22, mounted in the upper end of each of the legs and attached to the cleats 17 to afford means for elevating the centerpiece 18 of the table, which is guided by the plungers or rods 15 and the cleats 17 as before explained.

If found desirable in practice, the counterweighted cords and antifriction devices may be dispensed with, and strong spiral springs 22 may be mounted in the bottom of the tubes 13 to force the plungers 15 upwardly and elevate the center piece of the table, and short coil-springs are preferably located in the bottom of the tubes 13 to act as cushions or bumpers for the plungers upon the depression of the center piece.

Mounted in a hanger 23, secured upon the under side of the center piece 18, is a rod or rockthe collapsed or contracted position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the first step is to pull apart or separate. the sliding leaves 9 until the same extend beyond the frame of the table, whereupon the folding leaves 10, Fig. 2, are then opened outwardly and the center piece is elevated and locked, after which the sliding leaves are forced together or against the center piece and folding leaves and fastened to the latter, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, in which position the table is ready for use in its extended or expanded position. If the table is used as a dining-table and it is desired to leave the table-cloth, the centerpiece, the salt and pepper shakers, and such articles upon the table until the next meal, then it is only necessary to deposit the same upon the center piece of the table and fold the tablecloth thereon, then disconnect or disengage the sliding and folding leaves, and pull one sliding leaf out until sufficient room is accorded to operate the oscillating or rocking bar 24 to release the spring catches or plungers 28, whereupon the center piece, with the articles thereon,may be forced downwardly and the folding leaves folded thereover into the position shown in Fig. 2, after which the sliding leaves may be forced together into the position shown in Fig. 1, in which position the table will occupy but little space and may be utilized temporarily as a stand for various purposes.

It is not desired to confine this invention to the specific construction, combination, andv arrangement of parts herein shown and described, and the right is reserved to make all such changes in and modification of the same as come within the spirit and scope of the in vention.

I claim-- 1. Atable provided with a frame,a depressible center within said frame and leaves hinged upon the interior of the frame and constructed to fold within said frame over said center when the latter is depressed.

2. A table provided with a frame,a depressible center mounted within said frame, leaves hinged to the interior of said frame constructed to fold above said center when the latter is depressed, and separate leaves supported in said frame and constructed to cover said hinged leaves and center when in said position. v

3. A table provided with adepressible center, leaves hinged to the interior of said frame and constructed to fold over said center and within said frame when said center is depressed and leaves having extensions slidably mounted in grooves in said frame, whereby the latter leaves may be forced together above said hinged leaves and center.

4. A table provided with a eounterweighted central portion, folding leaves hinged thereabove and constructed to fold thereover when said center is depressed and sliding leaves on each side of said center and movable longitudinally of said folding leaves.

5. A table provided with a frame, counterweighted center mounted therein, leaves hinged upon the interior of said frame and constructed to fold over said center when the latter is depressed, and leaves supported in said frame constructed to slide together over said hinged leaves and center when the same are in said position.

6. A table provided with recessed legs, counterweights mounted in said recesses, guides upon said legs, a depressible center connected with said counterweights and carrying plungers working in said guides and leaves mounted in said frame and constructed to slide together over said center when the latter is depressed. I

7. A table provided with recessed legs having antifriction devices, a depressible center portion, means connected therewith and with said weights and passing over said devices to support said center portion, folding leaves at the ends of the said portion, sliding leaves at the ends of the folding leaves, and means for locking said center portion in such position as to form a part of the top of the table.

8. A table provided with a frame having guides, sliding leaves having extensions mounted in said guides, folding leaves hinged to the frame and a depressible center movably mounted within the frame. 9. A table provided with a frame having guides, sliding leaves having extensions mounted in said guides and being constructed to abut over the frame, folding leaves hinged to the frame and constructed to fold within the same below the sliding leaves and a depressible center movable within the frame and abutting against said sliding and folding leaves when in operative position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- CHARLES E. WVEIIN. WVitnesses:

G. M. GIFFEN, L. B. ALDERETE. 

